Comorbidities

My comorbidity is Bipolar/Schizophrenia.

Nowadays, I only use the meds for the purpose of sleep. I realise that there are other mitigating factors, in terms of illness and remedy.

Thanks a lot for the tips. I know I cannot afford to go private at the moment and I also have my doubts about those assessments, not all them of course. But, I've seen first hand how such important diagnosis are treated as something else to sell. I will check out right to choose

Yes, good point! 

Andy said:

My advice would be to do an assessment via Right to Choose. This will let you choose any NHS commissioned provider in the UK

FYI - Right to Choose is only available in England, not Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

It’s common for autistic people to also have ADHD. I think it’s something like 30% percent, but some studies I have seen say as high as 80%. The overlap is because both conditions affect similar areas of the brain, such as those involved in executive functioning, attention, and social interaction etc. 

If you feel there is something missing, and you associate with traits of ADHD, then it’s definitely worth asking for a referral for an assessment. 

My advice would be to do an assessment via Right to Choose. This will let you choose any NHS commissioned provider in the UK, rather than just the one or two providers that are commissioned in your area. This means the wait time is a lot less. In my area, standard waiting times is 7 years, but via right to choose I was able to choose a provider with a wait time of just under a year. As long as the provider you choose are commissioned by the NHS, which it will say on their website, your GP will be able to make a referral to them. 

You can also go private, with costs varying between £800-1500. You definitely need to look around and find a provider that feels right for you, and has good reviews. There is some bad rep that people who go private will always get diagnosed with ADHD, making it appear to look like you are paying for a diagnosis. There have been some bad companies out there, but doesn’t mean they’re all bad. Also, check with your GP if they will agree to enter into a shared care agreement for the medication, so they can take over the prescription of the medication once the provider has completed a period of titration. Most GP will enter a shared care agreement. And once they do, you then just pay normal prescription cost. 

The provider I went with, I was referred via Right to choose. It meant I got seen within a year, rather than the 7 year wait for my area. The same provider also does private assessments for £900… but the assessment would be exactly the same. I am however, paying privately for the medication titration, so I can get started soon. As waiting for titration paid on the NHS is another 12-18 months wait. I will pay privately for medication for about 12 weeks, which will cost around £1k, as I will have monthly medication reviews, but I will then be able to get my GP to take over the prescription through shared care agreement, meaning I then just have to pay for normal prescription cost. 

You'll soon find out the process is somewhat complicated, and I would suggest looking at the ADHD uk website: https://www.adhduk.co.uk which explains the process really well, from going down your normal NHS route, to right to choose, and private assessments etc, as well as wait times etc. 

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Artuista said:

lthough people said they liked me I never seemed to be able to keep friends

Welcome to the club! I should get a t-shirt with that on it 

Artuista said:

I'm considering ADHD and I know I struggle with social anxiety and depression. Is it worth going through another round of diagnosis?

So, I'm in the same position. I have an autism diagnosis. Was told I likely have ADD but would need a separate diagnosis. I'm 99% sure I am ADD and so is my (neurodivergent) coach.

So, diagnosis could lead to meds which can really help with the ADHD symptoms. I've spoken to people who've gone down this route and they've said the improvement in thinking is startling and almost immediate.

However, I understand that as an adult I'd have to wait years for an NHS diagnosis and unfortunately the private sector seems to be fully of sham assessors now. So you might get a diagnosis even if you don't have ADHD and that could be dangerous if you then take ADHD meds. I've also been told that I'd need my GP to agree to the specific private assessor beforehand because many GPs won't provide prescriptions unless it's an NHS diagnosis.  You also need to be reassessed a couple of times a year to make sure the meds are correct - more cost if you go private.

It's not an easy decision!